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| Reviews Summary for KA6ELK Screwdriver Antenna |
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Reviews: 5
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $140.00
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Description: 10-80 Meter Screwdriver Antenna (email ka6elk@cox.net)
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the KA6ELK Screwdriver Antenna.
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W5PCJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 2, 2009 20:21
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Great bang for your buck !
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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When I started shopping for my first new screwdriver antenna I checked out a lot of companies on the web. I was looking for the most bang for my buck. Most companies if not all price there versions like there gold plated or made of "rare metals". I simply wanted a inexpensive antenna that was a good design and efficient. I am very satisfied with the antenna I bought. Nice to see a company that can make a product without trying to empty my wallet when I make a purchase. Oh and by the way I found out using a capacity hat on this antenna mainly allowed me to use a shorter whip depending on the diameter of the capacity hat. In other words bigger capacity hat diameter smaller whip same performance basically it just lets you use a shorter whip so overhead clearance is less of a problem. Thanks for great antenna. A friend of mine KA5MEI said that with it being narrow banded on the bands that this makes it higher Q or more efficient. He explained that a dummy load is very broad banded and that isn't good for a transmitting antenna, but yours he said should be highly efficient because of how coil is wound so great job and excellent craftsmanship. I'll buy another when the time comes or pass this one on to my son in a few years as I'm sure it'll still be kicking butt on hf so take that high sierra tarheel and scorpion yall won't be getting rich off me.
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WA5FLV
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 22, 2008 18:09
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Great buy!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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For the money this is a top notch antenna. With a little understanding of what is supposed to happen it is easy to use. Like any mobile antenna the key is GROUND.
The motor is noisy but again for the price you don't care.
I have dedicated this antenna to use on a trailer with push up mast, generator and assorted antenna gear. For use to deploy as a portable base in emergencies. Mounted to the trailer frame. (GROUND)
Have mounted the base on a tripod, with radials, ground rod and of course the coax and cable to run motor. This can be set up in a matter of minutes. Gives multi band use in a limited space. Wire antennas for 80 and 40 to compliment the screwdriver as room and time permit. Gives just a bit more agility to the platform.
First tests of this antenna gave good results. Good SWR over a reasonable bandwidth. Rapid band change. Typical of what I have come to expect from a mobile screwdriver antenna.
Can't say enough about Wes! Again a top notch Amateur Radio Operator. He has called to check on how I use the antenna and the results I have gotten out of it. Very helpful. I think he is "old school" and thinks about what is right and customer satisfaction.
Good buy, good customer service, good man.
It ain't perfect but it sure works good.
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NN3RP
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 21, 2008 15:27
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Outstanding
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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For the past couple of months I have been searching on the Net for the best deal on a HF screw driver antenna system. Not that I didn’t have one in place but I wanted to upgrade my existing ATAS 100 and Outbacker Split. The ATAS100 tunes just fine with FT-857D but cannot handle more than 100 watts. In the other hand, the Outbacker is just a fine system that can handle 300 watts but I dislike the fact that I have to get out of the car to switch bands. And also only a portion of the band gets you good SWR. If I need to be at the upper portion of the band then I need to recalibrate the antenna with the stinger. I am one that likes to swivel the dial up and down the band and hence the need for a system that can allow me to do this automatically, without a tuner, and can withstand at least 500 watts. One other requirement, in my research and as important, was that I need to quickly connect / disconnect the system from Trailblazer. The last requirements had to do with performance and pricing besides the need for additional accessories.
I have been learning about High Sierra, Hi-Q screwdriver antennas as they present multiband operation and easiness of switching bands automatically. Although they can meet some of my above mention needs, my budget will not allow me to embark in one of them. I also noticed that there might be additional accessories to purchase for them. So I became disappointed in my search.
But luck was just waiting to be discovered.
While looking around eHam.net classifieds area I stumbled into Alpine Antennas by KA6ELK (Wes)and decided to give him a call.
In conversing with Wes I learned many aspects of his system.
He further told me what I will need in order to make the antenna tune up/down the band in use (this is a motorized antenna). Merely a simple DPDT 20-Amp Momentary Flip Switch (Catalog #275-709 / $5.00) from RadioShack was all that was needed to find the resonant point and to lower the SWR. I also needed to buy a stainless steel 72” whip. He recommended MFJ-1964 ($21.95 + s/h) for best performance.
He also assured me that I will be able to quickly disconnect the antenna in no time.
So I decided to give it a try and sent for one. This antenna, I thought, will meet my needs, performance and price wise.
My Ham mobile station consists of FT-857D onto ALS500M to a Daiwa 2K SWR/Power meter. In preparation to the arrival of the antenna, my Trailblazer had a 2” hitch already in place for the Outbacker Split. It was just going to be a simple matter of removing the existing mounting hardware and store away for making room to my new antenna.
Well, the antenna arrived one day late. But it was here and I started unpacking it. I went into the backyard fully prepared with necessary tools to set it up. This included repellent against mosquitoes. They are pretty abundant in this area.
Once the electrical connections were made, coax attached, ground strap connected, and the whip placed to the antenna top, I turned on the FT-857D. As soon as I started moving the flip switch down, I heard the motor inside the antenna making noises. At the same time, I started hearing the typical noise of the radio when tuned to the right antenna. A few more flips, while watching the Daiwa meter, put the antenna at a 1:1 SWR at the frequency on display (middle of the 20M band). In fact, the RF back was, to my surprise, almost 0 (zero). The PEP reflected the actual setting of the rig. Moved the frequency up / down and noticed how broad the antenna was.
I have made distant and short distance QSOs with this antenna both with and without my amp. Reports are just great. And the broadness of this antenna is just awesome. Also, at least for my case, I don't need to buy any fansy controller or any other accessories.
My wife and I concurred that we have gotten what we were looking for on an antenna system. When we discussed price and performance, and also easiness of maneuvering it, we realized that we have gotten a great deal on this screw driver.
Thanks for your support to the Ham community Wes!
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W9JCM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2008 15:38
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Top Notch!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Excellent product. Reason I went with Wes at Alpine antennas is because number one Price and quality of design. The customer service is outstanding and I highly recommend this product to anyone thats looking for a screwdriver. Performance is on par with any other screwdriver out there. Wes is always around to answer any questions you have.
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WM4RB
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2008 16:23
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Great Screwdriver Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased this antenna and had a small problem with it. I called Wes and he promptly helped me out. Wes has a good product and outstanding customer service at a very reasonal price. I have 2 other screwdiver antennas from other manufactures on my truck and bronco. Wes's antenna is as good or better and at a much better price. You will not be disappointed with this antenna.
73,
Mike WM4RB
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